Practice Schedule - Fall 2008
Field Directions

Like many soccer clubs, LJSL does not have its own fields. Instead, we use fields in our community operated by the Village of Larchmont, Town of Mamaroneck and the Mamaroneck Union Free School District. (See Field Directions.) In addition to school sports teams, we share these same fields with other local sports programs; for example, baseball/softball and lacrosse in the spring. The result is a shortage of fields and occasional conflicts with activities that have priority, in particular school-based athletic activities.

While we strive to minimize the impact and inconvenience on our teams to the extent possible, coaches, players and parents should be aware that most fields are booked solid, for practices and games, on most days throughout each season. This means that any change in arrangements for your team would generally involve juggling other teams, who have their own conflict issues. The Field Master (see Travel Program Personnel) makes every effort to inform teams in advance of field conflicts and make arrangements for alternate fields or practice time. Our indoor practice time in school gyms is extremely limited so most winter practices are booked at the Sports Underdome in Mt. Vernon. See Winter Rules, Procedures and Underdome Directions below.

Our fields are a scarce and precious resource, on which our program depends. Preserving them must always take precedence over individual and team needs. If weather or other factors force us (or the village, town or school) to "pull" a field, this must be respected. We have zero tolerance for unauthorized use of our fields (or fields reserved for other programs). We strongly recommend that coaches make their trainers aware of all LJSL rules concerning fields. Finally, in use of fields, please give safety first priority and use common sense.


Practice Rules

• A coach or designated parent MUST be outside the field or gym at least 10 minutes prior to designated time, and maintain control of those arriving early
  
• While waiting, players must stay right outside the field or gym, and NOT wander around the field, Underdome or school. Bathrooms may, of course, be used.
  
• Players should be reminded each week to respect Underdome or school property, and leave bathrooms clean after use.
  
• On leaving the field or gym after practice, ensure that it is left in a clean and tidy state.
  

General Field Information

• Field assignments will be based, in part, on team’s age. Generally, larger fields (e.g. Hommocks) are assigned to older teams and smaller fields (e.g. Town Center) are assigned to younger teams. The volunteer participation level of your team will also be considered, so participate, cooperate, and enjoy!
  
• There are not enough practice fields to give each team the time and day they would like. We encourage coaches to indicate time/day preferences to the Field Master but please understand that our field constraints make it impossible for us to honor every team’s preference.
  
• Coaches must not commit to a trainer until the time of their practice is confirmed. To the extent possible, we will try to schedule trainers working with multiple teams in consecutive time slots.
  
• LJSL does not make weather-related closing decisions for most of the practice fields that we use (e.g., Hommocks, Flint, Central). If a practice field is "pulled", the field coordinator and/or commissioner will attempt to notify the affected teams by email, and post a notice on the "News" section of the website home page. On weekends, a recorded announcement will also be left at 834-4582; however, this will generally not be possible on weekdays.
  
• LJSL makes the playable/unplayable call at Lorenzen. It is essential that coaches use common sense in determining whether or not they should practice. Generally, do not use the field in the rain or if the field is wet, soft, or soggy. In prolonged bad weather, LJSL may officially close the field and notify affected coaches of this decision.
  
• Outdoor fields may not be available before the spring season starts. Coaches need to be creative running pre-season practices – but stay within the rules. Consider using yards, school playgrounds or parking lots for skills-based practices or clinics. Larchmont travel teams are prohibited from using fields of other programs – e.g., Mamaroneck’s Harbor Island.
  
• Teams are generally allotted one-half a field to practice. U9 and U10 teams are generally scheduled on the same field at the same time.
  
• There will be occasional conflicts with school-based activities and the Field Master will try to alert the coach in advance and re-schedule.

VERY IMPORTANT Field Rules for Coaches

Remember, the fields that we depend on do not belong to us. They are the property of the Village and the Schools, and we use them because they permit us to. If we do not care for  the fields properly, we may lose the privilege of using them. We thank you for performing these duties responsibly.

I.   Goal Procedures

The following procedures have been put in place to reduce wear and tear of the goal-box areas. Your cooperation in abiding by them would be much appreciated, not only by all of us in LJSL, but most importantly by the field owners themselves. PLEASE ENSURE ALL TRAINERS ARE INFORMED.

After Final Game or Practice of the Day

Coaches of the final game or practice on each field are responsible for moving the goals and sand bags off the playing field as follows:

 
This must be done every day for two reasons: (a) other sports and/or school phys.ed also use the fields, (b) facilitates weekly mowing. PLEASE DON'T FORGET!

• FLINT PARK (FRONT)
  Used for Sunday games only. Place under the trees on Hommocks side, face to face so that I can lock them for the week.
  
• FLINT PARK (TURF)

Goals should be left in position.  They are too heavy to move.

• LORENZEN
  Move to the side of the field beside the inlet (i.e. opposite side to baseball field)
  
• HOMMOCKS
  Move goals back 10-15 yards from the field. By the way, Hommocks 1 is the field nearest the school; Hommocks 2 is the lower field.
  
• CENTRAL SCHOOL
  Place on slope on opposite side of field to school, facing and against the fence.
  
• HIGH SCHOOL
  Used for Sunday games only. Move goals back as far as possible from field (i.e. against bank one end; against fence at other end).
  
• TOWN CENTER
  Move goals back as far as possible from field (i.e. against bank one end; against fence at other end).
  

Please move the sandbags as well; leave them inside the goals.

Practice Days 

• If you wish to use goals for finishing drills, they should be set up 5-10 yards inside sideline.
• For half-field scrimmages, use corner flags as goals and play ACROSS field.
• Goals may be used in their normal position ONLY for full field scrimmages against other teams.
• IF USED, GOALS MUST BE PUT AWAY (AS DETAILED ABOVE) AT THE END OF PRACTICE.   

II.  Other General Rules

• EVERY TEAM SHOULD CLEAR THEIR FIELD OF TRASH, SOCCER BALLS AND ITEMS OF CLOTHING AT THE END OF THEIR GAME OR PRACTICE. If the trash containers at the fields are full, coaches/parents are asked to please take the trash home; excess trash should not be left in a bag beside the container.

• Dogs are NOT allowed on school fields, and notices to that effect are clearly displayed at Mamaroneck High School, Central School, Town Center and Hommocks.  Coaches should ensure that their families are aware of this rule.

III.  Field-Specific Rules

In addition to the general field rules and practice schedule procedures listed above, please note the following requirements for a few specific fields.

• Lorenzen baseball field: NO team may warm up on this field.

• Flint Turf (for games AND practices):

• Only water in a clear, reusable container is allowed on the field.  All FOOD and other DRINKS are expressly FORBIDDEN.
• Sneakers, turf shoes or rubberized (molder) cleats are permitted.  Metal cleats are NOT allowed.
• Spectators are restricted to the bleachers, walkways, and plaza;  only players, coaches and referees are allowed on the turf.
• Playes may NOT enter the field until their coach is present, and under no circumstances should anyone enter while another game is in progress.
• Coaches are responsible for ensuring these rules are followed;  please make sure your players and parents are aware of them.

• Flint Park: 

U9 and U10 teams who use Flint Park in the Spring share it with softball and baseball. Our permit is generally for noon to 5 pm only (softball has it until noon and baseball has it after 5 – specific times subject to change). Therefore, the first team must move goals into position, and the last team must put them to the side.  The Flint Front goals should be set face to face, under the trees, alongside the large goals.

Coaches using Flint Park (for games) should carry the Village permit with them at all times. (A copy of the permit is distributed at the kick-off coaches’ meeting each season.)

Parents should be warned NOT to park along the roadway at Flint Park or they will be ticketed

• Hommocks:

There are Varsity or JV games on Hommocks most days - sometimes TWO games. It is essential that these games are not distracted by kids entering the fields when they are not supposed to. These are the basic rules to be followed:

1. If there is one school game being played, all four scheduled teams should warm up on the other field until the game is over (and remember, OT is played in tied games).

2. If two games are being played, scheduled teams should be told NOT to arrive before 6PM, and must NOT enter the field until at least one game has completed. I will try to keep you updated Monday of each week regarding days when two games are scheduled.

3. Under no circumstances are teams to warm up on the perimeter of a field where a game is in progress.

IV. Home Team Responsibilities  New in Spring 2005!!

• Corner Flag Responsibilities:   Each team has been given a set of corner flags to use for the season and is responsible for setting up the flags before each home game and removing them afterwards.

• Last Team Scheduled on Each Field:  It is the responsibility of the coach of the last team scheduled on each field on each Sunday to 1) clean up the sidelines after the games and 2) move  the goals to their proper "storage" positions (see Goal Procedures).

Cleaning up the sidelines means removing all items from  the sidelines. This includes the team side and the parent side, the home side  and the away side. We are aware that the items you find may well not even have  been left from people attending your game. They still need to be removed. All water bottles, orange peels, and other trash should be thrown out. If you find articles of clothing, you may leave them hanging neatly on a fence at the entrance to the field. If you find anything of value, take it with you and notify the commisioners.

Game Day Procedures

• The game is on unless you get an official call canceling it.
  
• Games cancelled due to bad weather will be determined by 8am Sunday.
  
• The Field Master will telephone our "home/host" coaches and leave one message, and will leave a message on the LJSL phone (834-4582) so coaches can check in if they are away.
  
• Home/host coaches are responsible for informing their teams AND the opposing coach. If the home coach cannot reach the opposing coach, the home coach MUST go to the field from 1/2 hour before game time to 1/4 hour after game time to send home any players from either team who did not get the notification (WYSL Rule).
  
• If a game is played and thunder and lightning are present, coaches should immediately notify the referee and ask him to stop the game and immediately get the players and parents to the safety of buildings or cars. If the storms are scattered and passing, ask the referee and other team to wait 10 to 20 minutes to see if it passes through and the game can be completed safely. Be patient, it is much easier to complete a game than to reschedule a makeup game.
  
• If a coach arrives at a Larchmont field that has not been pulled and feels that playing will seriously damage the field, please try to reach the LJSL President or one of the Travel Commissioners (see Travel Program Personnel)
  
• Rescheduling of home games (or scheduling of "TBS" home games) will be done through the Field Master. Three possible alternates will be offered and held for three days. Contact the opposing coach and get back to us quickly! WYSL rules regarding rescheduling deadlines are communicated to the coaches at the beginning of season meeting and must be complied with. The WYSL fines clubs (e.g., the LJSL) if "TBS" or rescheduled games are forfeited, and these fines are passed on to the individual teams.
  
• Fields and towns have different rain-out criteria. Parents and coaches should assume a game is on unless notified specifically. For example, a Larchmont team’s home game may be rained out while many away games are still played (and vice versa).
  

Field Set-up/Maintenance

Pre-season work sessions require volunteers to set up goals and nets at all of our fields. Past volunteers have formed long lasting memories and friendships and been rewarded with kind words and Tootsie Roll pops. Parents and players 12 years and older are welcome. To volunteer, email Field Maintenance.

Report any problems with nets, goals, flags or sandbags to Field Maintenance.

Communication

• It is imperative that emails to the Field Master and Winter Indoor Coordinator include the team name and age in the subject line.
  
• Communication must be with only one representative of each team to avoid conflicting information. (Coaches and managers should decide which one will be the official team representative; whoever is designated is responsible for communicating with the other and with the team on any field scheduling/re-scheduling issues.)
  
• The only time we will use telephone communication to contact coaches is for weather cancellations on Sunday mornings.
  
• Do not communicate with the WYSL directly. Do not contact the Travel Commissioners regarding field issues without first trying to resolve the issue with the Field Master. Travel Commissioners should be contacted if and only if a coach and the Field Master cannot come to a satisfactory resolution.

Winter Rules and Procedures

Most travel teams conduct regular winter practices and/or play in winter leagues. Most teams practice (at team expense) at the Underdome in Mt. Vernon; in addition, the LJSL is allocated a small amount of space in local gyms, which we generally allot to the brand-new teams that have not had the opportunity to reserve Underdome space
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As an accommodation to the teams, the LJSL Winter Indoor Coordinator (see Travel Program Personnel) attempts to book a block of "slots" at the Underdome and the Omni Fitness Center. These are often more limited than we would like. The coordinator will contact coaches/managers with the availability and will give teams a deadline to sign up and pay a deposit on their selected practice times.

Teams may also elect to participate in the Underdome winter indoor league. This is handled directly by individual teams, and is not coordinated by LJSL.

See www.sportsunderdome.com for directions and more information.

If there are gym slots available after the new teams have been accommodated, these will be offered to existing teams.